OPA-LOCKA, Fla. (AP) — After hundreds of rescue workers fanned out across a massive swath of the Atlantic for a full week, the Coast Guard's search for two teenage fishermen was to end Friday, a heart-rending decision for families so convinced the boys could be alive they're pressing on with their own hunt.

Even as officials announced at noon that the formal search-and-rescue effort would end at sundown, private planes and boats were preparing to keep scouring the water hoping for clues on what happened to the 14-year-old neighbors, Perry Cohen and Austin Stephanos.

Sports

Ridgeland-Hardeeville High began its football season Friday with a morning practice. Second-year coach Jahmaal Nelson stressed conditioning as the team ran 15 110-yard sprints. There were 19 Jaguars, but Nelson expects more players next week.

Nelson told the team he's not satisfied with last year's 8-4 record and expects to compete for a SCHSL Class AA title.

"Let's get excited, it's football season," Nelson said.

Read more about the Jaguars and Thomas Heyward's first practice in next week's Jasper County Sun Times.

Opinion

Congratulations to Cliff Smith for being recognized for his devotion to helping the county’s children.

Last Saturday, the Concerned Citizens of Jasper County presented Smith with the Tearwornia Woods Humanitarian Award for his dedication to improving children’s lives. The award is named after one of the founders of the county’s “Stop the Violence” rallies.